Often a proposal between man and woman is considered the most essential step for a successful marriage; however, this isn’t always true. Throughout the following passages, each speaker uses a unique method to propose to their bride to be: one an uninvolved business agreement between two people, the other spoken truly from the heart. While Jane Austen’s speaker uses a self interested and snobbish tone to persuade his intended, Charles Dickens’ character uses an impassioned and love-filled tone in order to propose to his bride to be. Although Austen’s speaker could possibly obtain a wife, Dicken’s speaker is more likely to win her, and ultimately receive a yes in reply to his proposal.
Throughout Austen’s passage, the speaker presents his proposal as a cold business agreement meant top inform his intended of the terms and conditions regarding their marriage rather than a passionate promise to always love and trust one another. In fact, the speaker manages to make his proposal seem even more like contractual agreement between two parties by listing his reasons as to why he is marrying and stipulations his intended would have to fulfill. Through his assertions “my reasons for marrying are that it’s the right thing for every clergyman to set the example of matrimony” and “will add very greatly to my happiness,” the speaker reveals his true-unloving selfish self. Furthermore, Austen’s speaker’s attitude is filled with presumption and snobbishness. For instance, when proposing the speaker commands to his intended that in order for them to have a successful marriage her “wit and vivacity must be acceptable to her [his cousin],” suggesting that he respects his cousin more than this women to whom he is proposing, therefore insulting her, and possibly resulting in a negative response.
While Austen’s speaker’s proposal is presented as a business agreement, Dickens’ speaker’s proposal is an impassioned soliloquy spoken from the heart meant to truly infatuate his love and win her over. Hyperbolically he professes, “You could draw me to the waters, to the gallows, you could draw me to death” and “I am under the influence of tremendous attraction which overmasters me.” This represents the true depth of love the speaker has for his bride to be. The speaker’s impassioned tone also aids him in his endeavour to convince his intended that regardless of his situation, reputation, or circumstances, he will always love her. For instance, Dickens’ speaker proclaims to his bride to be that while her brother “favors me [him) to the utmost,” this has no merit; the oly thing possessing merit to him is how she feels, revealing to the reader that the speaker is genuine with his words and actions and that he honestly wants a relationship to outlast all others. Through the use of his passionate tone and caring attitude, the speaker is likely to receive a positive response, rather than a negative one.
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Although the speakers in each passage propose in a unique way, Dickens’ speaker is more likely to woo his woman, therefore receiving a positive response and as a result, a happy marriage. Contrastingly, Austen’s speaker only offends and insults his bride to be and will most likely receive a no in reply to his proposal, as no women (specifically his intended) likes to be disrespected. While Austen’s speaker is of high standard and it is possible that the women he is proposing to may say yes due to his status, it would not be for true love; therefore, negating the special bond between two people that is marriage.
